§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the results of his Department in achieving the Government's policy programme since his reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Melton on 16 June 1980.
§ Mr. FowlerThe Transport Act 1980 has opened the way for a range of new transport services to develop. The most dramatic result has been the increase in the number of long distance express coach services at lower fares. Licences for local bus services were also made easier to obtain, trial areas have been established and the remaining restrictions on car sharing removed. The Act also provided for the transfer to the private sector of the National Freight Company Ltd., and I informed the House recently of a proposal from a group of the company's senior managers for a consortium of managers and employees to purchase the company. We have made good progress in implementing the policy for the trunk road system development set out in my Roads White Paper; I am currently arranging the transfer of over half of the work of design and supervision of trunk road schemes scheduled to go to private sector consultants. British Rail has disposed of three important Scottish hotels, including Gleneagles, to a new private sector company, in which it has taken a one-third shareholding. The current Transport Bill provides for the further introduction of private capital into BR subsidiaries and into the British Transport Docks Board. This Bill also abolishes the National Ports Council and provides for replacement of the totting up procedure by a penalty points system and includes measures to tackle the drinking and driving problem, reduce accidents and improve the safety of children in cars.
I am proceeding with the sale of new leases for four-fifths of the English motorway service areas; these sales have already brought some £42 million to the Exchequer.
I published recently a consultation paper on ways of encouraging more and safer cycling. The Monopolies arid Mergers Commission reported last autumn on British Rail's London commuter services, and BR management is now taking action on its findings. Together with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary I recently published and announced general acceptance of the joint working party report on road traffic law which contains proposals for important improvements in the administration and enforcement of road traffic law. The inquiry into lorries, people and the environment has reported and I am currently considering its recommendations. I have already announced my agreement to the inquiry's recommendation that grants should be available to waterway users on the same basis as section 8 grants are to rail users.
On manpower, I have to date reduced staff numbers in my Department by 1,270, or 9 per cent., since 1 April 1979. I am planning to reduce them by 23 per cent. by 1 April 1984. With the transfer of work from RCU sub-units, involving up to 1,400 staff, my Department's payroll will be reduced by about one-third.